A 15-year-old student has been arrested and charged in connection with the fatal shooting of his classmate following a minor altercation at Oak Ridge High School in Orange County.
Authorities identified the suspect as Jacori Redding, who is accused of shooting and killing 16-year-old Pinien Dalmacy after the two reportedly bumped into each other in a school hallway. According to Orange County Sheriff John Mina, the incident escalated when Dalmacy allegedly did not apologize, leading the teens to arrange a fight at a nearby basketball court after school.
What was meant to be a fistfight turned tragic when Redding allegedly produced a firearm and shot Dalmacy, killing him at the scene. Investigators are still working to determine how Redding obtained the weapon.
During a juvenile court appearance on Friday, Redding appeared unfazed, even smiling at family members in the courtroom. Authorities also revealed that Redding was already facing charges for grand theft auto at the time of the shooting.
Sheriff Mina described the situation as “senseless violence” and urged parents and students to speak up about potential conflicts before they escalate.
Redding remains in juvenile detention, charged with first-degree murder, while the community mourns the loss of Pinien Dalmacy — a young life cut short by what officials are calling a preventable act of violence.